Design Theory
Purpose:
This course is an introduction to contemporary thinking on design theory and critical design related to Interaction Design. The aim of the course is to encourage reflection and discussion on design based on its impact on social contexts, sustainability and global politics.Goal:
After completing the course the students should have an increased awareness of critical design theories along with practical experience in how to apply that thinking and vernacular in their own design processes as both analytical and descriptive tools.
The students should also gain a larger bibliographical knowledge of currents texts on interaction design and obtain an extended repertoire of examples with which to put their own design processes in context and better and more eloquently describe and argue for their own work.
Content:
The course covers a broad spectrum of topics ranging from contemporary design genres (e.g. Design Noir), upcoming design concerns (e.g. sustainability), and design methodology and techniques (e.g. cultural probes). These topics will be approached through literature, lectures, seminars, and workshops.
The course will acquaint the students with new genres and aspects of interaction design and provide them with a large number of examples of projects, objects and processes to which they can relate and put into context their own work and interests.
The written assignment will hone the students’ abilities to express themselves in writing and allow them to partake in and create a culture of critique and critical thinking. The course has a practical component through which the students will learn how to give Gestaltung to a critical design dilemma.
DesignTheory 2005 project site.
Photos by students, see link to projects. All rights reserved.